30 IELTS Writing Task 2 questions - Common Writing Task 2 topics

In the process of practicing IELTS Writing, you will surely have to search many different sources to refer to writing topics. In this article, DOL has compiled and sent you the popular IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions for you to practice. Find out now!

1. Overview of IELTS Writing Task 2

The IELTS Writing Task 2 test is part of the important part of the IELTS Academic Writing Test (IELTS Academic Writing Test) . Due to the nature of the score ratio and specific language ability requirements, you need to master the knowledge and practice of the IELTS Writing Task 2 types.

Contents of IELTS Writing Task 2	The topics are academic and social in order to require candidates to express their critical thinking and personal views on the problem posed.
Time	40 minutes (Time is given by IELTS experts to advise candidates)
Score weight	⅔ IELTS Writing test score(Điểm số IELTS Writing = (Writing Task 1 + Writing Task 2*2)/3
Minimum length	250 words
Article structure	IntroductionSupport your opinionState the opposing point of you Summarise your opinion
Common post types	Discussion EssayOpinion Essay (Argumentative/Agree or Disagree Essay)Advantages and DisadvantagesProblem and SolutionTwo-part Question Essay

2. Common Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

Common topics in IELTS Writing Task 2

2.1. Language theme 

Sample topic: Some believe that we should invent a new language for international communication.

• Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

2.2. Lifestyle Theme

Sample topic: The cost of living is higher in many countries.

• What are the effects of higher prices to individuals and society?
• What is the best way for people to deal with this problem?

Lifestyle topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

2.3. Work Theme

Sample topic: Some people believe that it is a good idea that older people continue to work if it is possible for them to do.

• Do you agree or disagree? 

2.4. Education Theme

Sample topic: Internet access helps young people and workers achieve their education and work goals more easily than before.

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The topic of Education is very common in the IELTS writing test

2.5. Theme Environment

Sample topic: The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment.

• What is the cause of this?
• What can be done to solve this problem?

Environment topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

2.6. Health theme 

Sample topic: Some people think scientific research should focus on solving world health problems. Others think that there are more important issues.

• Discuss both views and give your opinion?

Health Theme

2.7. Government theme

Sample topic: Any country should be able to sell goods to other countries without the restrictions of the government.

• Do you agree or disagree?

Government theme

2.8. Traffic Theme

Sample topic: Research has shown that the transportation of products and people are the main source of pollution. Some people believe the government is responsible for, while others believe it is the fault of individuals.

• Discuss both view and give your opinion?

Traffic topic is quite common in IELTS Writing tests

2.9. Theme Art 

Sample topic: Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as literature and painting.

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Art theme

2.10. Law theme

Sample topic: In some cases people who break the law should be warned instead of receiving punishment.

• Do you agree or disagree?

2.11. Architecture Theme

Sample topic: Some people think the newly built houses should be the same as the old house style in local areas. Others argue that local authorities should allow people to build houses in their own styles.

• Discuss both views and give your opinion?

2.12. Media theme

Sample topic: The use of social media is replacing face-to-face interaction among many people in society.

• Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Media topic is also one of the common IELTS Writing topics

2.13. Food theme

Sample topic: Countries should try to produce all the food for the population and import as little food as possible.

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2.14. Business Theme

Sample topic: To succeed in a business, one needs to know maths.

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Business Theme

2.15. Family theme

Sample topic: Today family members do not eat meals together.

• Is this a positive or negative trend?

2.16. Cities theme

Sample topic: As major cities in the world are growing today, so do their problems.

• What are problems for young people who are living in the cities as the result of continued growth?
• How problems might be solved?

2.17. Advertising Theme

Sample topic: Some people say advertising has positive economic effects. Others think it has negative social effects because it will make people dissatisfied with who they are and what they have.

• Discuss both views and give your own opinion?

2.18. Theme Animals

Sample topic: Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed down. Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

• Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion?

2.19. Culture Theme 

Sample topic: Some people think that living in a country is essential to learn that country’s language and culture. 

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2.20. Tourism Theme

Sample topic: Nowadays, international tourism is the biggest industry in the world. Unfortunately, international tourism creates tension rather than understanding between people from different cultures.

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2.21. Sports theme

Sports theme

Sample topic: Some people think that governments should ban dangerous sports, while others think people should have freedom to do any sports or activity.

• Discuss both views and give your own opinion?

2.22. Globalization Theme

Sample topic: International travel is becoming cheaper than before, so more and more countries open their doors to tourists.

• Do the advantages of the increased tourism outweigh the disadvantages?

2.23. Gender Theme

Sample topic: As major cities in the world are growing today, so do their problems.

• What are problems for young people who are living in the cities as the result of continued growth?
• How problems might be solved?

2.24. Reading theme

Sample topic: People say that reading for pleasure helps people to develop imagination and better language skills than watch TV.

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2.25. Communication Theme

Sample topic: Some believe that we should invent a new language for international communication.

• Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Communication topic is one of the common IELTS Writing topics

2.26. Entertainment theme

Sample topic: Nowadays, we can watch entertainment performances from the screen (laptop, etc), and no need to watch it live.

• To what extend do you agree?

2.27. Space theme

Sample topic: Some people say it is more important to plant trees in the open spaces in towns and cities than to build more housing.

• To what extant do you agree or disagree?

2.28. History theme

Sample topic: In some parts of the world, people try to find out one’s own family history.

• Why do people do this?
• Do you think it is positive or negative?

2.29. Travel theme

Sample topic: Many people are travelling to other countries.

• Why?
• Is it a positive or negative development?

The topic Travel is very common in the IELTS Writing Task 2 test

2.30. Technology theme 

Sample topic: Maintaining public libraries is a waste of money since computer technology can replace their functions. 

• Do you agree or disagree?

You can refer to the following video:

One of the most effective ways to prepare for writing essays in the IELTS Writing test is to do sample essay questions and prepare a large enough vocabulary.

3. Common Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

3.1 Argumentative/Opinion/Agree or Disagree Essay (Opinion essay)

Sample topic: Maintaining public libraries is a waste of money since computer technology can replace their functions. Do you agree or disagree?

3.2 Discussion Essay/ Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Sample topic: Some believe that we should invent a new language for international communication. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

3.3 Causes and Effects/Causes and Solutions/Problems and Solutions Essay

Sample topic: As major cities in the world are growing today, so do their problems. What are the problems for young people who are living in the cities as a result of continued growth? How problems might be solved?

3.4 Two-Part Question Essay

Sample topic: Many people are travelling to other countries. Why? Is it a positive or negative development?

4. Answers to questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to write IELTS Writing task 2?

• Read the question and understand what the examiner is asking
• Take a few minutes to think about what you are going to write
• Write the opening
• Develop your essay ideas, approaches and explanations
• End your essay with a summary
• Read the essay and make sure you don't make any mistakes

How to generate ideas for writing task 2

• Write an answer to the question
• If your mind is empty then you should search on Google or Youtube
• Synthesize different opinions on topics
• Try adding more questions and you'll see you now have more ideas

5. Frequently asked questions

Do IELTS essay questions repeat in IELTS exams?

No. Questions for IELTS essay will not be repeated in IELTS exams.

What are the main topics commonly encountered in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Some of the latest topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 are health, environment, education, development, globalization, public transport, government spending, technology, youth and criminal justice.

What if I write off topic in IELTS Writing Task 2?

When writing off topic, the Task Response criteria will be deducted points. In addition, it is possible that the Coherence and Cohesion criteria are also affected more or less, and so the candidate will definitely lose a significant score.

Hopefully with the sample articles provided on the topic above, you will have an effective source of IELTS writing task 2 practice. This will also be a tool to help you achieve the IELTS writing score you want. In addition, to make the lesson more effective, see more instructions on how to write IELTS writing task 2 !